Counterbalance for pedals.



Patente Mar. !2, IS OI.

Not 669569.-

c; M. WHITMORE. COUNTERBALANCE FOR FEDALS.

' V (Application filed Sept. 14, 1899.)

(No Model.)

rnrns ATENT i rricnl COUNTERBALANCE FOR PEDALS.

SBECIFIGATION formng part of Letters Patent No. 669,569, dated March 12, 1901.

Application filed September 14, 1899. Serial No. '730,.480. &No model.)

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invetion relates to improvements in weights or counterbalances for pedals, and

particularly for bicycle-pedals.

It consists in a weight provided with one or more elastic bands adapted to engage a pedal, so as to suspend the said weight at a suitable point beneath the same to hold the pedal normally in a desired position.

It also consists of certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the acconpanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section through a counterbalance constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the manner of supplying the elastic supports. Fig. 2 represents a transverse Vertical section through the said counterbalance and a bicycle-pedal, showing the manner of securing the said counterbalance in place. Fig. 3 represents a detail sectional View of the said counterbalanoe, it being formed in aslightly dilferent manner. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of a still different form of counterbalance, and Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same.

My invention is designed to supply a compact, simple, and adjustable counterbalance for bicycle pedals and one which can be quickly and easily adjusted to hold the pedal normally in a desired position, whether the said pedal be provided with a toe-clip or not.

For carrying out the features of my invention I preferably form a counterbalance of a folded piece of metal, as 1, the said weight being so folded as to form a centrally and downwardly projecting loop or fold, as 2, and outwardly-bent side portions, as 3 3, forming upper loops, as at 4 4. In order to attach this weight to a pedal, one or more elastic bands of cord, as 5 5, are passed between the outer side portions 3 3 and the center fold, so as to pass through the upper loops 4 4, as clearly seen in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the elastic being so arranged as to form pedalengaging loops, as 6 6, which may be stretched upwardly over the foot-engaging portions 7 7. The elastic 6 6 may be so drawn over the edges of the pedal with respect to the counterbalance that the said counterbalance will hang directly beneath the aXis of the pedal, as seen in Fig. 2, or at a suitable distance upon either side of the said aXis to properly balance the pedal. This adjustment of the counter-balance forms an important feature of my invention, especially when toeclips are applied to the pedals. A counterbalauce of this kind can be so adjusted as to exactly counterbalance the weight of the toe-clip and hold the pedal horizontal.

As seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the outer side folded portions of the counterbalance may be quite small, if desired, as at S 8, without departing from the spirit of my invention. It will also be apparent that other portions of the attachment of said elastic supports or bands to the counterbalance may be employed, if desired;

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the counterbalance may be made of a flat material, as 13, folded downwardly at the sides and inwardly and upwardly at the center, as at 14, the upwardly-extending ends being adjacent to the top cross portion. This manner of folding the material forms two recesses, as 15 15, for receiving the supporting-elastic. The elastics are preferably arranged in the said reoesses so as to cross each other, similar to the way the elastics are arranged in Fig. 1.

From the above description it will be apparent that my improved counterbalance is exceedingly simple in its Construction and that it can be readily adjusted to hold the pedal horizontally and in proper position to receive the foot of the rider, whether the said pedal be provided with a toe-clip or not.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A counterbalance for pedals, comprising a weight, an elastic cord formed with loops to engage a pedal, the said cord being entwined through and about the said weight so as to automatically hold the weight at different twisted portions, end loops forned in said points to which it may be slipped on said cord for engaging the pedal, the a'rangeelastic UOI'd between the said loops, whereby I ment being such that the weight may slip 15 the Weight Will be held at a proper point beback and fo'th between the twisted portions 5 neath the pedal to balance it, substantially of the elastic cord to adjust it to different as described. points with respect to the aXis of the pedal. 2. Acounterbalance for pedals,c0mprising In testimony whe'eof I hereunto affix ny a weight fonned' of folded metal, an elastic signature in presence of two witnesses.

cord for supporting said metal upon a pedal, CHADBOURNE MELCHER WHITMORE.

io the said cord being twisted twice and ar- Witnesses:

ranged within the folds of the weight so that S. W. WHITMORE, a part of the weight is included between said JAMES T. WATSON. 

